“He was talking so low I couldn’t catch it, but I doubt he was agreeing with them. Blake really likes you.”
Carli thought so, too, but to what degree? Great for dating and sleeping with or for something more long term?
“Has he mentioned the Hospital Fundraiser benefit yet?” Annie asked.
“Yes, though I’m not sure if I want to go.”
“Why not? It’s absolutely amazing, with the best food and music. And you get to dress up fancy.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t have a fancy dress. The one I wore for Christmas was embarrassing, and I understand this event calls for something formal.”
“Yeah, it’s a black and white ball. Dresses and suits all have to be black and white. I just got a really fabulous dress. It helps cover the baby fat I still haven’t lost from having Parker.”
“Maybe it’s better if I don’t go. I don’t want to embarrass Blake.” Again. He’d been so sweet at the Christmas party, but what she could afford wouldn’t fit in with his crowd.
After Annie got the meal set up on a large platter, she turned and stepped closer.
“I know a really great place where we can get the perfect dress for you. It’s in Boston, so I’ll pick you up next Saturday at noon. We’ll do lunch first and then get something that will make Blake’s eyes pop right out of his head.”
“I won’t be able to afford it.”
“Come with me and see. Please, I want to help with this.”
Could she show him she belonged? Her manners were impeccable, and she wasn’t too horrible to look at. She could be polite and make small talk and stand by his side as he spoke to donors. Maybe?
“Okay, I’d love to. Thank you.”
Annie rubbed her hands together and grinned. “This is going to be fun.”
His mother’s gaze followed Carli and Annie as they left to go into the kitchen. Had Carli seen what his parents had been saying? God, Blake hoped not. Harrison squirmed in his seat worse than Parker. Baby brother didn’t like the topic of conversation either, and he hadn’t been in the room to hear their parents maligning his wife. He wondered how that would go over.
“I don’t understand what you see in her, Blake,” his mother started up again. When would she drop it? “Dating her isn’t a good thing.”
“Why?” His voice was louder than usual, and his father threw him a heated look. No one dared upset the mother. That had been the rule in this house since he’d been a child. His mother was to be put on a pedestal and looked up to and revered. Heaven forbid anyone challenge her authority.
“She’s not right for you. You deserve someone better.”
“She’s not right? Because she doesn’t have a fancy job or belong to a country club or come from a wealthy family?”
His mother fluttered her hands in that way she had of showing that something wasn’t important. “Of course, those things are important, but they can all be changed with marriage to someone like you. You can’t, however, change the fact she’s disabled. I’ve looked it up, Blake. With her family all being deaf, the likelihood of any children you have with her also being deaf is quite high. There’s no need to risk it. Why would you invite tragedy into this family?”
“You mean like Parker?” Hopefully, his brother would forgive what he was about to say. “He has a hearing loss. Do you think he’s a tragedy?”
His father sighed, his frown letting everyone know he didn’t like the direction the conversation was heading. “He’ll be getting those implants soon.” The look he gave Harrison brooked no argument. He hadn’t answered the question either.
“You want Parker to get cochlear implants to fix him but won’t accept Carli with them. How does that make any sense?”
“Dear,” his mother began, her hand gently patting his like she was placating him. “Parker is our grandson. We didn’t choose him.”
At this, Harrison grew still. His face tensed, and his gaze focused on his son who was snuggled up to his chest, arms around his father’s neck.
“Butyoucan choose someone far more suitable than Carli,” his mother continued, failing to notice her sons had stiffened in horror at her words. “It’s not as if you don’t have the qualifications for a good husband. You’re wealthy, handsome, have an excellent job, come from an upstanding family, and are a pillar of the community. You could have any woman you set your sights on. I don’t understand why you can’t find someone more appropriate.”
“What you just listed are not who I am. They’re superficial, meaningless qualities. I want someone to love me for who I am. For my personality and how I treat them. Because they love the person I am, not what I can offer them.”
“Be real,” his father interrupted. “Carli knows she’s got something good here with you. I mean, what kind of a husband can she expect? You’re the brass ring, and she knows it. You, on the other hand, can do better.”
Running his fingers through his hair, Blake took a few deep breaths, then let them out again. Yelling at his parents wouldn’t get him anywhere, though the fury he felt burning inside threatened to consume him.
